Who was Thaddeus Stevens?

Ross Hetrick, president of the Thaddeus Stevens Society of Gettysburg, will examine the life of the famous 19th century member of the U.S. House of Representatives who was an abolitionist and fought to secure equal rights for freed men and women after the Civil War.

The most powerful congressman during and after the Civil War, Stevens changed the fabric of the United States government, helping to push it towards the promise of equality for all. Stevens was a fearless champion of freedom and equality. During his lifetime, Stevens’s fame rivaled that of Abraham Lincoln, and when he died in 1868 his body lay in the Capitol Rotunda — an honor previously given only to Lincoln and Sen. Henry Clay.

Admission by donation. Members of the Historical Society are admitted free.

Tours of the mansion are available at 1:00 p.m. at regular ticket price. Admission to the program is included with ticket price. The Alexander Research library is open 1:00pm to 4:00pm.